The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has recorded its highest ever spring intake, with a total of 413 students being enrolled for its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

The record spring enrolment represents an increase of 18 per cent over the corresponding semester last year.

The spring intake figures show that there was a big jump in enrolments from outside the UAE, including a substantial number from different parts of Africa as well as the Indian Subcontinent.

For postgraduate programmes, nearly 25 per cent of the enrolments were UAE nationals, reconfirming Emirati students’ preference for pursuing higher studies in the UAE in prestigious institutions recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, instead of going abroad, a statement said.

“This year, we have had the largest ever spring intake in the 18-year history of the university, with a total of 413 enrolments for our undergraduate and postgraduate programs,” said Professor Rob Whelan, president of UOWD.

“We believe this is a vote of confidence in our single-minded focus on quality tertiary education and research, with strong relevance to the local job market and business environment.”

UOWD has nearly 3,600 students from over 100 nationalities. Last year, the university entered into a new phase of growth by launching doctorate and PhD programmes, which attracted record enrolments, mainly from Emiratis keen to better their career prospects.

“We are not surprised by the rush of students at this juncture, because it is an established fact that in tough times smart people opt to invest in higher education,” added Prof Whelan.

“As far as the dramatic increase in enrolments from outside the UAE is concerned, we believe that the environment of security and stability in the UAE is instrumental in attracting students from all over the world,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service